Citra man judges Panhandle art contest

An artist participates in America’s Great Plein Air Invitational Paint-Out in Port St. Joe.

Lora Ide/Star-Banner

By Lora IdeCorrespondent

Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 4:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 4:12 p.m.

PORT ST. JOE - From Apalachicola to Mexico Beach, artists began setting up easels last Saturday near white sand beaches, verdant pine forests and in front of historic buildings in small towns along Florida's Forgotten Coast.

Twenty invited artists had traveled to Florida's Panhandle for the America's Great Plein Air Invitational Paint-Out, which included a "quick draw" contest among the many demonstrations scheduled over 10 days.

During the quick draw, about 40 artists, some invited and others who signed up online, had two hours to paint a full scene for judging and possible sale.

Judging the event was Ashley White, an archeologist and art historian from Citra, accompanied by last year's judge, Charles "Chuck" Koch of McIntosh. Both men serve on the Appleton Museum of Art Advisory Council, which provides guidance for the operation and direction of the museum, which is owned by the College of Central Florida. Koch and his wife, Anne, are grand patron supporters of the annual plein (fresh) air paint out event.

As participants arrived for the quick draw, there were clouds on the horizon and a little sunshine, mirrored in the dancing Gulf waters. As 9 a.m. approached, the artists signed in and got blank canvases stamped, awaiting the call to begin painting. Just as it came, the sky blackened, winds blew and down came the rain.

Ignoring the messy weather, creating hasty set-ups under whatever cover they could find, the artists continued what they had barely started, taking brush to canvas and working as fast as they could.

Charles Dickinson, of St. Augustine, used a tiny canvas to paint a rainy forest scene complete with a red sports car, providing a spot of color.

Ken DeWaard, of Viroqua, Wis., drew a picture of Dickinson and then painted his image contentedly for two hours as amazed onlookers came by for photos.

"This just happens to be his (DeWaard's) car that I am painting," quipped Dickinson, undaunted at the prospect of being the subject of a competitor's painting and working at top speed on his own canvas.

The artists took short breaks for coffee and doughnuts, grabbed sweaters, sweatshirts and ponchos, and even beach towels and bed sheets to wrap up in, and applied last dabs of paint as the deadline approached.

Among the winners was Haidee-Jo Summers, from Lincolnshire, England. A writer, teacher and professional artist, Summers had been chosen recently by the BBC to paint the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant, according to an event spokesman.

DeWaard's zany painting of his fellow artist won an honorable mention. Morgan Samuel Price, of Altamonte Springs, who also painted a fellow artist, won first place.

Members of the Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition organized the event, which continues through Sunday. To learn more, call 800-378-8419 or visit www.pleinairfl.com/.

<p>PORT ST. JOE - From Apalachicola to Mexico Beach, artists began setting up easels last Saturday near white sand beaches, verdant pine forests and in front of historic buildings in small towns along Florida's Forgotten Coast.</p><p>Twenty invited artists had traveled to Florida's Panhandle for the America's Great Plein Air Invitational Paint-Out, which included a "quick draw" contest among the many demonstrations scheduled over 10 days.</p><p>During the quick draw, about 40 artists, some invited and others who signed up online, had two hours to paint a full scene for judging and possible sale.</p><p>Judging the event was Ashley White, an archeologist and art historian from Citra, accompanied by last year's judge, Charles "Chuck" Koch of McIntosh. Both men serve on the Appleton Museum of Art Advisory Council, which provides guidance for the operation and direction of the museum, which is owned by the College of Central Florida. Koch and his wife, Anne, are grand patron supporters of the annual plein (fresh) air paint out event.</p><p>As participants arrived for the quick draw, there were clouds on the horizon and a little sunshine, mirrored in the dancing Gulf waters. As 9 a.m. approached, the artists signed in and got blank canvases stamped, awaiting the call to begin painting. Just as it came, the sky blackened, winds blew and down came the rain.</p><p>Ignoring the messy weather, creating hasty set-ups under whatever cover they could find, the artists continued what they had barely started, taking brush to canvas and working as fast as they could.</p><p>Charles Dickinson, of St. Augustine, used a tiny canvas to paint a rainy forest scene complete with a red sports car, providing a spot of color.</p><p>Ken DeWaard, of Viroqua, Wis., drew a picture of Dickinson and then painted his image contentedly for two hours as amazed onlookers came by for photos.</p><p>"This just happens to be his (DeWaard's) car that I am painting," quipped Dickinson, undaunted at the prospect of being the subject of a competitor's painting and working at top speed on his own canvas.</p><p>The artists took short breaks for coffee and doughnuts, grabbed sweaters, sweatshirts and ponchos, and even beach towels and bed sheets to wrap up in, and applied last dabs of paint as the deadline approached.</p><p>Among the winners was Haidee-Jo Summers, from Lincolnshire, England. A writer, teacher and professional artist, Summers had been chosen recently by the BBC to paint the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant, according to an event spokesman.</p><p>DeWaard's zany painting of his fellow artist won an honorable mention. Morgan Samuel Price, of Altamonte Springs, who also painted a fellow artist, won first place.</p><p>Members of the Forgotten Coast Cultural Coalition organized the event, which continues through Sunday. To learn more, call 800-378-8419 or visit www.pleinairfl.com/.</p>